
Probe launched after shock discovery of body close to finish line of Ireland's ‘largest outdoor sporting event'
The find was made in the Ballyreagh Road area of
2
The body was recovered by the coastguard and police
Credit: Pacemaker Belfast
2
The body was found by a member of the public early this morning
Credit: Pacemaker Belfast
The location at Rinagree Point is near the race track of the North West 200 in
It is understood the body was found close to the start/finish line of the motorcycle event by a member of the public, who informed event staff.
The popular event is "Ireland's largest outdoor
The racing event has been running from May 5 and continues until tomorrow May 10.
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The
In a statement a PSNI spokesperson said: "Police in Coleraine are investigating the discovery of a body in the Ballyreagh Road area of Portrush, following a report made shortly after 9.30am this morning, Friday 9th May.
"There are no further details at this time."
It is understood the HM Coastguard and cops were involved in the recovery of the body.
Most read in Irish News
Separately, the PSNI are seeking the public's help in locating two men believed to have been
Sean O'Reilly, 49, survived after being shot twice while he sat inside his
in the west of the city on February 23.
PSNI chief slams 'hateful and criminal behaviour' from 'far-right' 'thugs' in Belfast
Earlier this week, police issued CCTV images of two men they said they believe were involved in the case as part of an appeal.
However Mr O'Reilly has questioned why the images were pixelated, adding that it seemed 'extremely counter-productive to request help in identifying the suspects while also obscuring their image'.
His solicitor, Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law, said they have 'serious concerns around the investigation'.
He said: 'This is just the latest unusual occurrence in this investigation."
'We see no good reason why the PSNI would ask for help in identifying suspects and at the same time take steps to pixelate the faces of the suspects.
'One has to question the motive behind this and who the PSNI are seeking to protect.
'We will now add this to a long list of complaints already made to the Police Ombudsman in relation to the handling of the case.'
INFORMATION APPEAL
Responding, a PSNI spokesperson said: 'Detectives released still images of the two suspects with the aim of encouraging anyone with information, or footage, to come forward.
'In one of the images, the face of one suspect has been pixelated. This has been purposefully applied in order to prevent potential misidentification or retribution.
'Instead, it is hoped that both images, backed by the reward from Crimestoppers, will encourage anyone with information to get in touch using the appropriate channels.
'Detectives have made a particular ask, and would reiterate their appeal, to anyone with CCTV to check for similar images that may have been captured from the morning of Sunday 23 February.
'Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 101.'

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Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
New IRA had planned earlier attack on detective John Caldwell, court told
Mr Caldwell was shot several times while he was off duty Police have uncovered what they believe was a failed attempt to murder detective John Caldwell in the weeks before he was seriously wounded in a gun attack by dissident republicans, a court has heard. The details were revealed as two men appeared at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on charges linked to the attempted murder of the senior Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on February 22 2023. Mr Caldwell was shot several times while he was off duty and with his young son, packing up after coaching a youth football team. The attack was claimed by the New IRA. Forensic officers at the scene of the shooting in 2023 (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Caldwell has since retired from the PSNI on medical grounds. A number of people have previously appeared in court charged with offences linked to the shooting attack. Caoimhin Murphy, 25, from Altowen Park, Coalisland, and Liam Robinson, 45, of Ardstewart, Stewartstown, are both charged with preparation of terrorist attacks and perverting the course of justice. Both men appeared in court on Wednesday via videolink from Musgrave Street police station in Belfast. Neither responded when asked if they understood the charges. A detective sergeant told the court he could connect both men to the offences. After the court was told there was a challenge to the connections, a prosecution barrister said the investigation into the shooting of Mr Caldwell had been a 'complex, circumstantial case,' pointing out that several people had already been charged. She said: 'When the original individuals were charged that was subsequent to the attempt on DCI Caldwell on the 22nd February of 2023. 'Investigations obviously continued and through those investigations it was ascertained the case is there was a prior attempt on the 1st February 2023.' She said of the first attempt on the detective's life an Audi and a Volkswagen vehicle had been used and when he was later shot, two Ford Fiestas had been used. She told the court the case against Murphy is that it is alleged he had moved a vehicle involved in the first failed attack, moved a vehicle involved in the later attack and had been involved in burning a car after the detective was shot. The case against Robinson is that it is alleged he assisted in the recovery of a vehicle used in the first attempt, moved a vehicle in the second attempt and assisted in burning a car. The detective sergeant told the court: 'The investigation has identified what is believed to have been a failed attempt to attack DCI Caldwell on the 1st February. 'On this occasion DCI Caldwell wasn't at Youth Sport, which would have been his usual routine. 'At that time a Volkswagen Tiguan on false registration plates was observed on CCTV entering the youth sports site in similar fashion to the movements of the Fiesta number one on the 22nd, the evening of the attempt.' The officer laid out elements of the police investigation which stretched over events on a number of dates in February 2023 and included phone and CCTV evidence and what police believe are suspects taking place in 'walk and talk' conversations. He said the shooting of the detective is believed to have been 'a joint venture between a number of active service units', including Belfast and Tyrone New IRA. The officer told the court that on the night Mr Caldwell was shot, he had arrived at football training earlier than usual. He said police believe the attack had been planned to take place when he arrived at the sports complex, but was delayed because of his early arrival. He added: 'He was not shot until 8 o'clock that night, an hour and a half after what we would suggest was the planned attack.' Murphy's defence solicitor Peter Corrigan told the court there was 'not one iota' of surveillance evidence linking his client to any of the vehicles used in the shooting. Robinson's solicitor Gavin Booth said it was not part of the prosecution case that his client had taken part in the shooting of Mr Caldwell and had been in Coalisland at the time of the attack. The prosecuting barrister said it was a 'circumstantial case in its truest form'. She said: 'One strand may be weaker than the other, that is what a circumstantial case is. 'But when they are all layered on top of the other the consequences of those meetings, the prosecution says that there is sufficient material before the court to connect both accused to the charges.' Mr Corrigan: 'It is a circumstantial case, but it is a circumstantial case which fails at connection because there are alternative explanations. 'It is all based on speculation and conjecture and does not close alternative explanations.' John Caldwell's life is still under threat, a court was told (David Young/PA) District Judge Rafferty said he was satisfied both could be connected to the offences. Police objected to a bail application for Robinson, with the detective sergeant stating it is believed he has a 'trusted role' in the IRA. He added: 'The New IRA have made a claim of responsibility for this terrorist attack. 'In addition to trying to justify the shooting of DCI Caldwell as a senior Crown forces member, the group further claimed that Irish Republican Army intelligence are now in possession of security information regarding the out of bounds movement of Crown force personnel.' He added: 'The threat to the life of John Caldwell continues to this day with his name appearing on a bonfire in the Creggan estate as we speak along with cross-hairs indicating he continues to be a target.' He said the threat posed by the group was 'real and imminent'. The judge denied bail to Robinson. Both defendants were remanded in custody. Robinson will appear in court again on September 2 and Murphy will appear on August 20 to make a bail application.


Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
New IRA planned earlier attack on detective John Caldwell before he was shot, court told
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Sunday World
5 hours ago
- Sunday World
Paedophile accused of fleeing the country after being caught at airport
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